FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions by newly admitted students.

If your question is not answered here, contact us at admissions@lafayette.edu, and we’ll be happy to answer any question you have!

Advising

What should I do if I don’t know which major to choose?

Good news: You are not supposed to know what your major is going to be. Depending on what you think your potential interests are (science, engineering, social science, the arts, or humanities), you need good advice from your faculty adviser and class dean regarding the courses you need to take. Engineers declare their major at the end of the first year, and all other students do so in their second year.

Relax, get good advice, and enjoy this opportunity to explore your intellectual horizons. That’s what college is for!

How do I ask for accommodations for my disability?

Accessibility Services will work with you to determine reasonable accommodations for the college environment and your courses. If you had a 504 accommodation plan and/or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in high school, this plan does not automatically transfer to college. Please follow the steps to register with Accessibility Services to develop an accommodation plan for your time at Lafayette. Accessibility Services will begin to review incoming students’ requests for accommodations in June.

Accessibility Services has compiled some Frequently Asked Questions and resources to assist in your transition.

How does advising work for incoming students?

Lafayette is excited to support your academic success! In high school, you likely looked to your guidance counselor for academic planning. At Lafayette, you will turn to your faculty academic adviser and your class dean.

In early May, incoming students will get a newsletter with instructions to register for the summer advising program. Advising sessions are online in late May and early June. You’ll have a small group session and an individual session, with lots of time to ask questions. It’s your academic welcome to Lafayette!

If you have any questions after summer advising (late June through early August), please contact the Office of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs (deanofadvising@lafayette.edu). Our class deans can help with a wide range of academic questions.

In August, we will provide you with the name of your faculty adviser, who will support you from the time you arrive on campus until your sophomore year when you officially declare your major. If you reach out to your adviser before the semester begins, you might not always hear back right away. In the summer, our faculty work with students in labs, teach students on trips in Europe, and help students collect scientific samples in remote locations. If your issue is time sensitive, the Office of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs is always available to help.

Why is the Interim term so long? Should I consider a study abroad trip during my first interim term?

Interim, the six weeks between spring and fall semesters, allows students to participate in a few on-campus classes and 14- to 20-day study abroad trips that earn class credit.

First-year students are encouraged to participate.

A two- to three-week interim program is an excellent introduction to both global issues and international travel, and experiencing this early in your college career can have a profound impact. For example, it might prompt you to explore an academic field you had not previously considered or to spend a semester or an entire year abroad.

If you are even considering going abroad during your time at Lafayette — and especially if you might do so during your first year — please apply for a passport immediately. Application processing can take several weeks, so it is best to have your passport in hand before you even arrive on campus.

Is it too early to start thinking about what I will do after I graduate from college?

It’s never too early to start. Participating in the Gateway program gives you the chance to consider the possibilities with the guidance of a professional counselor. Right now, you might not know what you want to do in the future, or even how to figure this out, or you might have known what your path is for many years at this point. Either way, your Gateway counselor will help you access a variety of programs and experiences to explore your interests and enhance what you learn in the classroom through real-world experiences. These include internships and job shadowing externships with alumni, parents, and others all over the country. Our easy access to New York City and Philadelphia is a major advantage for Lafayette students.

Learn more on the Gateway Career Center website

Activities

How can I get involved in campus life my first year?

Learn more about student clubs and organizations. This link connects you with a list of different clubs on campus. You can search the OurCampus directory to see if a club you are interested in is part of our campus. Only current students are able to login to get more information. You can also learn more about the arts, community engagement, recreational programs, religious life, and intercollegiate athletics.

Does the College offer opportunities for service learning for first-year students?

There are many opportunities.

The Pre-Orientation Service Program (POSP) occurs the week before First-Year Orientation. The POSP application will be available in late spring and can be accessed on the Landis Center for Community Engagement website.
During the first week of classes you will receive a flier in your mailbox listing all community service programs, from tutoring children to volunteering at the local jail. There is also a service fair the first week of classes highlighting all of our programs.
You can enroll in one of several first-year seminars that integrate community-based learning and service into the course.

What resources does Lafayette have that will enhance my spiritual journey or faith?

We have organized activities for those of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. If you don’t come from a particular religious tradition but want to explore your spiritual development, we can assist you on that journey as well. The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life is located in 107D Farinon College Center and Chaplain Alex Hendrickson can be reached at (610) 330-5959 or hendrica@lafayette.edu.

I was very involved in theater and music in high school. Can I get involved as a first-year student at Lafayette?

Absolutely! First-year students can immediately audition for theater productions and music ensembles, register for classes or lessons, and introduce themselves to faculty directors. Our performing arts classes, programs, and productions are open to all students at all levels, and since we are not a conservatory, our actors, musicians, designers, and crews are drawn from all majors and disciplines of the College. Engineers minor in theater! Biology majors take lead roles in plays! You won’t find that at many colleges. But as a liberal arts college, we believe that EVERYBODY should come and “play.”

Residence Life

Why are students required to live on campus?

On-campus residency is part of the academic mission of the College. Membership in a residential, academic community provides unique opportunities for enhanced learning and personal growth outside the classroom. Our campus is not just a place where you take classes and exams, it is your home for four wonderful years and a place to which you’ll feel an indelible bond for the rest of your life. Extra- and co-curricular opportunities are a big part of why our students develop such a strong sense of connection to Lafayette. On-campus housing is guaranteed for all students. There are living environments to accommodate a variety of interests and needs.

Where do first-year students live on campus?

Incoming students are purposefully assigned to designated first-year residence halls: Conway House, Easton Hall, Gates Hall, Kamine Hall, Marquis Hall, McKeen Hall, Ruef Hall, South College-Jesser Hall, and Watson Hall. Because sharing a living space with another person is an important aspect of the residential and academic experience, all first-year students live with a roommate unless they are approved to commute from their parents’ home. See tours of the first year rooms.

First-year students may request to join a Wellness Living Community where residents explore wellness in six dimensions: social, occupational, physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. On these floors, students have opportunities to participate in special programming and create an environment where healthy choices are encouraged and supported, which includes a substance-free lifestyle.

All residence halls are smoke-free.

How are first-year room assignments made?

First-year students are assigned to rooms based on their responses to the First-Year Housing Application. Enrolled students are contacted via their Lafayette email account in May with specific information on how to move forward with the process.

When do new students receive their residence hall and roommate assignments?

Incoming students should expect to receive communication from the Office of Residence Life around August 1. Residence hall room number and contact information for roommates will be included as well as move-in dates and links to information that will help students plan for their transition into the residence halls.

Where can additional information about the housing program be found?

The Office of Residence Life website contains a great deal of information about the department’s philosophy, procedures, living environments, and staffing.